Director, Engineering - Advanced Development

Ninjakitchen; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with matching

Employee stock purchase program

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Product discounts

Pet Insurance

Job summary

SharkNinja is seeking a Director of Engineering – Advanced Development to lead a cross-functional team turning blue-sky ideas into tangible, consumer-loved products. You will own early concept development, guide platform exploration, and partner with engineering, R&D, and marketing to shape strategy.

The role demands 10+ years in product development with strong leadership, a consumer-obsessed mindset, and hands-on problem-solving to deliver scalable innovations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in product development, including 5+ years managing managers.

Responsibilities

• Own early-stage concept development and design storytelling across multiple product categories.
• Pitch future-focused concepts through storytelling to align senior leadership.
• Partner with Mechanical Eng., R&D, and Product Marketing to ensure concepts are rooted in strategy.
• Ground ideas in buildability, materials, manufacturing methods, and DFM/DFA.
• Build, inspire and lead a team of managers, engineers, and designers.
• Set and drive the strategic direction of the Advanced Development pipeline.
• Serve as a voice in long-term innovation strategy and category vision.

Skills

Product development leadership

People management

Storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor or Master in Mechanical Engineering or Product Design

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

KeyShot

Adobe Suite

Job description

About Us

SharkNinjais a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positivelyimpactpeople’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proventrack recordof bringing disruptive innovation to market and developing one consumer product after another has allowedSharkNinjato enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than4,100associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.

AI at SharkNinja

At SharkNinja, we’re building an AI-native culture. We’re not waiting for the future; we’re creating it. Our people are expected to experiment boldly, adopt new tools, and continuously raise what’s possible to create meaningful impact for our consumers. If you believe the best way to do your job hasn’t been invented yet, you’ll fit right in.

• Director, Engineering – Advanced Development

  The Opportunity

  At SharkNinja, we're redefining how products improve everyday life — and this role sits at the very heart of that ambition.

  As Director, Engineering – Advanced Development, you'll head up a team of passionate, hands-on design storytellers, engineers, and inventors who bring breakthrough product ideas to life. This isn't just a design leadership role. It's owning the spark behind SharkNinja's next generation of iconic products: you'll be the creative catalyst shaping what's next, driving how teams turn blue-sky thinking into tangible, consumer-loved innovations that define categories. The early concept architecture your team shapes is what eventually fuels mass production through our NPD pipeline.

  We're looking for a designer at heart — engineering and design credentials, a natural flair for storytelling, and a relentless passion for solving consumer problems in inventive, inspiring ways.

  What You'll Do

  • Own early-stage concept development, design storytelling, and early platform exploration across multiple product categories.
  • Pitch future-focused concepts through design storytelling — in a way that connects emotionally and drives alignment across the business, including with senior leadership.
  • Partner with Mechanical Engineering, R&D, Product Development, and Product Marketing leadership to ensure early concepts are rooted in a strong, scalable product strategy.
  • Ground ideas in what's buildable — integrating knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods (plastic injection molding, die casting, sheet metal), and DFM/DFA so concepts are not just exciting but achievable.
  • Build, inspire, and lead a team of managers, engineers, and designers, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and excellence.
  • Set and drive the strategic direction of the Advanced Development pipeline, identifying opportunities for innovation and differentiation across the portfolio.
  • Serve as a key voice in long-term innovation strategy and category vision, in partnership with senior cross-functional leaders.

  What You'll Bring

  • 10+ years in product development, including at least 5 years in a management role with experience managing managers — ideally in a high-volume consumer goods environment.
  • A consumer-obsessed mindset, with a proven ability to develop products that influence behavior, exceed expectations, and set new standards in the market.
  • Strong consumer intuition and market awareness — anticipating user needs and identifying commercially viable opportunities.
  • Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to pitch ideas and influence stakeholders at the executive level.
  • A passion for hands-on development, technical problem-solving, and pushing boundaries.
  • Demonstrated delivery of complex global initiatives on time and within budget, navigating diverse stakeholder needs and evolving project landscapes.
  • A track record of building and scaling teams and processes in a fast-growing organization.
  • Experience with SolidWorks or Creo, KeyShot, and Adobe Suite.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a closely related technical discipline.

Salary and Other Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is displayed below. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts (HSA) with company contribution, 401(k) retirement plan with matching, employee stock purchase program, life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, generous paid time off, company holidays, parental leave, identity theft protection, pet insurance, pre-paid legal insurance, back-up child and eldercare days, product discounts, referral bonus program, and more.

$140,400—$205,000 USD

Our Culture

At SharkNinja, we don’t just raise the bar—we push past it every single day. Our Outrageously Extraordinary mindset drives us to tackle the impossible, push boundaries, and deliver results that others only dream of. If you thrive on breaking out of your swim lane, you’ll be right at home.

What We Offer

We offer competitive health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, employee stock purchase options, wellness programs, SharkNinja product discounts, and more. We empower your personal and professional growth with high impact Learning Programs featuring bold voices redefining what’s possible. When you join, you’re not just part of a company—you’re part of an outrageously extraordinary community. To gether, we won’t just launch products—we’ll disrupt entire markets.

At SharkNinja, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are vital to our global success. Valuing each unique voice and blending all of our diverse skills strengthens SharkNinja’s innovation every day. We support ALL associates in bringing their authentic selves to work, making an impact, and having the opportunity for career acceleration. With help from our leadership, associates, and our community, we aim to have equity be a key component of the SharkNinja DNA.

Learn more about us:
Life At SharkNinja
Outrageously Extraordinary

SharkNinja Candidate Privacy Notice

• For candidates based in all regions, please refer to this Candidate Privacy Notice.

• For candidates based in China, please refer to this Candidate Privacy Notice.

• For candidates based in Vietnam, please refer to this Candidate Privacy Notice.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other class protected by legislation, and local law. SharkNinja will consider reasonable accommodations consistent with legislation, and local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact SharkNinja People & Culture at [e-mail]